Saturday, 27 July 2013

DESCRIPTIONS ON ENNEAGRAM: On # 2

For Type 2 in the Enneagram, basically the idea of LOVING is such an essential issue. One's self worth plays a major role in this type. And as human as we are, this is one of our primary needs yet for those who belong to this type, if left unchecked and not processed, this could lead to distractions and unwillingness to go forward in one's journey.

Here then are some of the characteristics of this type:

"Healthy loop controlled by Basic Desire:

Need to be loved -> help others -> loved -> Need to be lovedIn the healthy state, the need to be loved induces Type Twos to help others which causes them to be loved. When Twos feel loved, the need is satisfied and a balance is reached.
In the average state, when Twos' are not helping others and are not loved, the need to be loved increases, which helps Twos to again reach out and help others. Thus the balancing loop can help Twos to recover.

Fear of being unloved -> resent and manipulate others -> loved -> Fear of being unlovedIn the unhealthy state, the basic fear of being unloved can cause Type Twos to feel resentful and try to manipulate others into loving them. This can cause people to love them even less, which further increases Twos' basic fear. The cycle continues to build up.

Insight:

We can see from the diagram that a way to help break the control of the basic fear is to weaken the unhealthy loop. Twos can refrain from manipulating others but start to genuinely help others. This will cause Twos to be loved, and thus reduce the fear of being unloved."

Thus, the emphasis on LOVING is so essential to number 2's that at times, one's needs are set aside for the sake of extending and helping others first. Just like any other number on the Enneagram, what is beneficial for everyone is the knowledge on each number's positive and negative attributes.